Q: Why does Idaho have a small estate affidavit yet the banks or insurance companies will allow it to be used? Help!
My single adult son died in a head-on crash. His auto insurance company paid off the balance owed on his vehicle & issued a check to "the estate of...." for $1702. This is the total value of the estate; the courthouse provided me with a small estate affidavit. I provided all of this to his insurance claims department. They told me this is the only way they can issue a check since he was the only policyholder. The bank will not open an estate account without letters of administration from probate.
A:
Sometimes it is not worth opening a Probate Estate so many let the banks keep the money. It happens alot. If the Bank will not accept your authority under the Small Estate Affidavit, then you have standing as the
Affiant to file suit against the bank for conversion, etc. , as it is your duty to marshal up assets of the Estate.
Hire a competent ID attorney or forget about it.
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